INDIANA DELAYING TRIP TO FINAL FOUR

AP

Published: March 26, 1987

NEW ORLEANS, March 25—
French Quarter bars and persistent reporters have nothing to do with why Indiana will be arriving later than the other three teams for the Final Four, said Coach Bobby Knight. He said the reason was that school work came first.

''As long as I've been involved in coaching, we have never - regardless of the game, whether it's a regular-season game or a conference tournament or an N.C.A.A. tournament game, first-round or championship game - gone to the site of a game more than one day prior to the game,'' Knight said by telephone during a news conference today.

''That's been our policy for 22-23 years,'' he said. ''We still have classes today and tomorrow. We'll miss a little class on Friday. We'll get the chance to work out on Friday, and that's the way we've always done it.'' Day to Relax

Jerry Tarkanian of Nevada-Las Vegas, who was the only coach already in New Orleans at the time of the news conference, said one of his reasons for arriving today was to give his players a chance to see the city.

''I'm going to let the kids enjoy themselves tonight and after the game,'' he said. ''Starting tomorrow, we will definitely keep our team under close restrictions.

''However, we won't isolate them from the press, because I think it is very important to give them the opportunity to talk to the press and other people. I think that's a real learning experience.''

All four teams will be housed in hotels adjacent to the French Quarter, the nightclub center of the city.

Before their teams left for New Orleans, Rick Pitino of Providence and Jim Boeheim of Syracuse said by telephone at the news conference that they leaned toward Tarkanian's lenient philosophy.

''We don't have that much time for them to get out much,'' Pitino said. ''It's a lifetime experience for them.'' ''We want them to have a good time, but we also expect them to concentrate on the game,'' Boeheim said. Tarkanian Picks Indiana

Providence (28-5), which last beat Syracuse 13 seasons ago, will meet the Orange (30-6) in the opening semifinal, with U.N.L.V. (37-1) facing Indiana (28-4) in the second game. The winners will meet for the national championship Monday night.

Las Vegas is the pick of many experts to win the title, but Tarkanian's choice is Indiana.

''I'm really shocked that we're the favorite,'' Tarkanian said. ''I look around, and Indiana's a great basketball team. I hope those people picking us know something we don't know.'' Defensive Coaches

Knight has never hidden his belief that defense is the way to win. But this season Tarkanian's defense has been significant.

''We've been, always, a great defensive team,'' Tarkanian said. ''The public looks at our scores and says, 'No defense.' We score a lot, and that's because we shoot it quick. We're not into being patient.'' ''Jerry has never been understood as a coach, as I understand him as a coach,'' Knight said. ''I've always felt that basketball starts with defense. I think his trademark has been outstanding defensive play. I think that over the years, people have not looked at Tark as they should - as a basketball coach. He has done a great job.''